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We will require information such as your name and address, plus the address at which the dog is causing the problem. We will ask you to complete diary sheets so that we can establish if a statutory nuisance is likely to be occurring, and also to target any enforcement action we may be able to take. For further information, please download our Noise Nuisance Help Pack (PDF 99KB). The pack also contains diary sheets.

On return of the signed diary sheets, we can assess if further action is necessary. A letter will then be sent to the dog owners. Should this not resolve the problem, further investigations and monitoring will be required to assess the potential for more formal action.

What to do if someone has complained about your dog

Excessive barking can be considered a nuisance under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

We are required to investigate complaints of noise nuisance, which includes regular, excessive barking (or howling or whining).

There are several simple things you can do to stop/reduce your dog's barking. Tips and advice are available on the Blue Cross website.

You may also get advice from your vet. Sometimes a dog will bark because he/she is ill. Anxiety is often the cause of barking. Regular veterinary health checks are advisable.

Remember: if you have a dog and it is causing a nuisance, you have a legal obligation to control the problem.

What we can do to resolve the problem

If you have a dog that is barking, our dog warden may be able to offer advice on actions you could take to minimise the barking.

If we consider the noise to be excessive or unreasonable and the advice and help we give is not followed, we have to take action. We can serve a notice that legally requires the owner of the dog to take action to reduce the barking. If a person fails to comply with a notice, the courts may impose a fine.